Genesis 14:8-18

8 And the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah and the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar ) came out; and they arrayed for battle against them in 1the valley of Siddim,
9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar -four kings against five.
10 Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and 2the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the 3hill country.
11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supply, and departed.
12 They also took Lot, 4Abram's nephew *, and his possessions and departed, 5for he was living in Sodom.
13 Then a fugitive came and told Abram the 6Hebrew. Now he was living by the 7oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were 8allies * with Abram.
14 When Abram heard that 9his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, 10born in his house, three hundred and eighteen *, and went in pursuit as far as 11Dan.
15 12He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of 13Damascus.
16 He 14brought back all the goods, and also brought back 15his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people.

God's Promise to Abram

17 Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, 16the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, 17the King's Valley ).
18 And 18Melchizedek king of Salem brought out 19bread and wine; now he was a 20priest of God Most High.

Genesis 14:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 14

This chapter gives an account of a war that was waged, and a battle fought between four kings on one side, and five on the other, and of the occasion and issue of it, who were the first kings, and this the first battle the Scriptures speak of, Ge 14:1-11; Lot and his goods being taken and carried off, with those of Sodom, by the conquerors, Abram hearing of it armed his men, and pursued after them, and overtook and overcame them, and rescued Lot and his goods, with others, and returned, Ge 14:12-16; when he was met by the kings of Sodom and Salem, who congratulated him on his victory, Ge 14:17-19; and what passed between him, and those great personages, is related, Ge 14:20-24.

Cross References 20

  • 1. Genesis 14:3
  • 2. Gen 14:17, 21, 22
  • 3. Genesis 19:17
  • 4. Genesis 11:27
  • 5. Genesis 13:12
  • 6. Genesis 40:15; Exodus 3:18
  • 7. Genesis 13:18; Genesis 14:24
  • 8. Genesis 21:27, 32
  • 9. Genesis 14:12
  • 10. Genesis 12:5; Genesis 15:3; Genesis 17:27; Ecclesiastes 2:7
  • 11. Deuteronomy 34:1; Judges 18:29; 1 Kings 15:20
  • 12. Judges 7:16
  • 13. Genesis 15:2
  • 14. 1 Sam 30:8, 18, 19
  • 15. Genesis 14:12, 14
  • 16. Genesis 14:10
  • 17. 2 Samuel 18:18
  • 18. Hebrews 7:1-10
  • 19. Psalms 104:15
  • 20. Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 5:6, 10

Footnotes 14

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